BCX/BCP radio upgrades possible?

[sam]

I'm a new BCX owner, having a blast, and thinking ahead about a
simulator before I get anything more complex. In purchasing a simulator,
I'd like to invest in a good radio that I could use for future helis (as
well as on the simulator).

Is a good radio (Futaba?) purchase something that I would be able to use
in my BCX (and possible BCP) with the existing receiver/servos? Are
there certain radios out there that are compatible with those Blade
models, yet will provide me with a good upgrade path in the future? I'm
not afraid to invest money in the radio if it can multitask like this....?

[The OTHER Kevin in San Diego]

On Sun, 02 Apr 2006 04:14:29 GMT, sam <samSPAMMENOT@home.com> wrote:

>I'm a new BCX owner, having a blast, and thinking ahead about a
>simulator before I get anything more complex. In purchasing a simulator,
>I'd like to invest in a good radio that I could use for future helis (as
>well as on the simulator).

Literally dozens of such radios to choose from. Pick one you think
will fit your needs. I use a Futaba 9CHS for both my Raptor 50V2 and
a couple airplanes I've built since I got the radio. Can store 10
models and is pretty straightforward to program once you figure out
where everything is. About the only thing I don't like about this
radio is the digital trims..

My last "nice" radio was a JR PCX1024 that I used for my old Schluter
JR50 helo. Still works like a charm - wish I could say the same for
the Schluter...

In any case, here's a thread you can read to get some poop on several
radios that might suit your needs:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4000865/anchors_4000865/mpage_1/key_9chp%252Cblade/anchor/tm.htm#4000865

>Is a good radio (Futaba?) purchase something that I would be able to use
>in my BCX (and possible BCP) with the existing receiver/servos? Are
>there certain radios out there that are compatible with those Blade
>models, yet will provide me with a good upgrade path in the future? I'm
>not afraid to invest money in the radio if it can multitask like this....?

I'm not sure if any will work right out of the box or not. I've read
a couple threads about success with a bit of transmitter programming.
This one mentions the setup for a Futaba 7C:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4067946/tm.htm

Here's another with some programming info:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=415491&page=2&pp=17

Last night I read a thread there on converting the CP to utilize a GWS
micro receiver in place of the Rx unit in the Blade's 4-in-1 box.
Poster said it took all of 5 minutes to do the swap and he included
pics as well. Can't find that thread at the moment...

Thinking about doing the same thing to my CP so I can use the 9C
instead of the Tx that came with the helo.

Good luck!

[Ruiz]

> http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=415491&page=2&pp=17
>
> Last night I read a thread there on converting the CP to utilize a GWS
> micro receiver in place of the Rx unit in the Blade's 4-in-1 box.
> Poster said it took all of 5 minutes to do the swap and he included
> pics as well. Can't find that thread at the moment...
>
> Thinking about doing the same thing to my CP so I can use the 9C
> instead of the Tx that came with the helo.
>
> Good luck!

I can't remember where I but I found out that you can change out the crystal
in the Blade CP's 4in1 for a "Futaba short" single conversion type crystal.
I tried it and it does work, the only thing that concerns me is that I would
have to make a range check to make sure it is reliable enough to fly.

[The OTHER Kevin in San Diego]

On Sun, 2 Apr 2006 07:37:52 -0700, "Ruiz" <ruizr2@cox.net> wrote:

>> http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=415491&page=2&pp=17
>>
>> Last night I read a thread there on converting the CP to utilize a GWS
>> micro receiver in place of the Rx unit in the Blade's 4-in-1 box.
>> Poster said it took all of 5 minutes to do the swap and he included
>> pics as well. Can't find that thread at the moment...
>>
>> Thinking about doing the same thing to my CP so I can use the 9C
>> instead of the Tx that came with the helo.
>>
>> Good luck!
>
>I can't remember where I but I found out that you can change out the crystal
>in the Blade CP's 4in1 for a "Futaba short" single conversion type crystal.
>I tried it and it does work, the only thing that concerns me is that I would
>have to make a range check to make sure it is reliable enough to fly.

After my response I spent a couple hours digging to see if it was
possible.. Got a couple e-mails from people who did just like you
said, bought a Futaba single conversion crystal, plugged it in and
setup the BCP like any other CCPM helo. Guess what I'm going to be
picking up early next week.. Yep, a new crystal on ch 25..

Eventually, i'll be down to just the one radio for all my models..
Well, maybe not the boat... :)

[Philip Goodwin]

"sam" <samSPAMMENOT@home.com> wrote in message
news:FcIXf.79908$g91.30754@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com. ..
> I'm a new BCX owner, having a blast, and thinking ahead about a simulator
> before I get anything more complex. In purchasing a simulator, I'd like to
> invest in a good radio that I could use for future helis (as well as on
> the simulator).
>
> Is a good radio (Futaba?) purchase something that I would be able to use
> in my BCX (and possible BCP) with the existing receiver/servos? Are there
> certain radios out there that are compatible with those Blade models, yet
> will provide me with a good upgrade path in the future? I'm not afraid to
> invest money in the radio if it can multitask like this....?

I fly my Blade with my Futaba 8U Super and it works great. As the others
have said, you need a Futaba single conversion crystal. If you are a JR fan
those can be used also but you do have to hack into the 4 in 1 to adapt it.
I don't think it is that hard to do but have not personally done it. The
Blade is a much better heli on a good radio as you can play with your
throttle and pitch curves to suit your personal style of flying. Beside the
Blade I fly an MX400, a Raptor 30, two other foamies and two nitro planes on
my radio.

[sam]

> I fly my Blade with my Futaba 8U Super and it works great. As the others
> have said, you need a Futaba single conversion crystal.


Philip,
Is that a BCX or a BCP that you are flying on the Futaba 8U Super? Using
the stock 4in1 and servos as well?

The Futaba 8 and the 9CHP are both radios I'm thinking about, and it
would be wonderful if one of them worked with my CX (and possibly future
CP) without having to purchase new receivers or equivalent parts to the
4in1 units.

BTW, Appreciating all the tips from everyone...many thanks.

[The OTHER Kevin in San Diego]

On Mon, 03 Apr 2006 04:04:45 GMT, sam <samSPAMMENOT@home.com> wrote:

>
>> I fly my Blade with my Futaba 8U Super and it works great. As the others
>> have said, you need a Futaba single conversion crystal.
>
>
>Philip,
>Is that a BCX or a BCP that you are flying on the Futaba 8U Super? Using
>the stock 4in1 and servos as well?
>
>The Futaba 8 and the 9CHP are both radios I'm thinking about, and it
>would be wonderful if one of them worked with my CX (and possibly future
>CP) without having to purchase new receivers or equivalent parts to the
>4in1 units.
>
>BTW, Appreciating all the tips from everyone...many thanks.

I ordered the new crystal for my Blade today (LHS didn't have one in
stock) so will be setting up my 9CH to "drive" my blade as soon as it
arrives.

LOTS of threads on RC Universe about this.. Just gotta dig a bit.

Don't think 4-in-1 units are the same. Part number for the CX is
EFLH1025 and for the CP is EFLH1027A. They look a tad different on
the Hobby Zone web site and the price is $20 higher for the CP
version.

Stands to reason the Futaba would work with either...

[The OTHER Kevin in San Diego]

On Sun, 02 Apr 2006 21:16:18 -0700, The OTHER Kevin in San Diego
<skiddz "AT" adelphia "DOT" net> wrote:


>I ordered the new crystal for my Blade today (LHS didn't have one in
>stock) so will be setting up my 9CH to "drive" my blade as soon as it
>arrives.

Question: I've got a GWS FM micro receiver in a foamy that works like
a charm with my 9C. The GWS crystal is a "shorty" - would it work in
the Blade? I've got a couple on the right channel in my "junk" box
and was wondering if I could cancel my order....

[Philip Goodwin]

"The OTHER Kevin in San Diego" <skiddz "AT" adelphia "DOT" net> wrote in
message news:t12332dce39fr0ek3g9l84n1li153tk10s@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 02 Apr 2006 21:16:18 -0700, The OTHER Kevin in San Diego
> <skiddz "AT" adelphia "DOT" net> wrote:
>
>
>>I ordered the new crystal for my Blade today (LHS didn't have one in
>>stock) so will be setting up my 9CH to "drive" my blade as soon as it
>>arrives.
>
> Question: I've got a GWS FM micro receiver in a foamy that works like
> a charm with my 9C. The GWS crystal is a "shorty" - would it work in
> the Blade? I've got a couple on the right channel in my "junk" box
> and was wondering if I could cancel my order....

I have a few GWS receivers working on my 8U also but according to my LHS
owner the GWS crystals will not work. I am not sure I buy that but have not
had time to try them. It may just be a size issue because in my mind channel
43 is channel 43 no matter what crystal you are using.

[Philip Goodwin]

"sam" <samSPAMMENOT@home.com> wrote in message
news:x91Yf.71773$9I5.54903@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com. ..
>
>> I fly my Blade with my Futaba 8U Super and it works great. As the others
>> have said, you need a Futaba single conversion crystal.
>
>
> Philip,
> Is that a BCX or a BCP that you are flying on the Futaba 8U Super? Using
> the stock 4in1 and servos as well?
>
> The Futaba 8 and the 9CHP are both radios I'm thinking about, and it would
> be wonderful if one of them worked with my CX (and possibly future CP)
> without having to purchase new receivers or equivalent parts to the 4in1
> units.
>
> BTW, Appreciating all the tips from everyone...many thanks.

That is in a Blade CP. I am not sure if it will work in the CX or not. To be
honest with you I would probably just use the stock radio for the CX because
it flies so well that you really won't get much of an advantage using a
computer radio. When you move up to the CP however, I would certainly
recommend flying that on your own radio.

[The OTHER Kevin in San Diego]

On Mon, 3 Apr 2006 17:53:58 -0400, "Philip Goodwin"
<cromer@valstar.net> wrote:


>> Question: I've got a GWS FM micro receiver in a foamy that works like
>> a charm with my 9C. The GWS crystal is a "shorty" - would it work in
>> the Blade? I've got a couple on the right channel in my "junk" box
>> and was wondering if I could cancel my order....
>
>I have a few GWS receivers working on my 8U also but according to my LHS
>owner the GWS crystals will not work. I am not sure I buy that but have not
>had time to try them. It may just be a size issue because in my mind channel
>43 is channel 43 no matter what crystal you are using.

LHS owner said he can't even GET single conversion Rx crystals
anymore. Funny, but I found 4 or 5 online vendors that have 'em in
stock. He also said the CP's 4-in-1 unit utilizes a standard sized
crystal.. I'm going with the concensus over at rcuniverse and going
the shorty route...

The guy at Tower said the GWS crystal I'm running should work the same
as the Futaba. It's been too windy lately to fly the foamy so I'm
gonna pilfer the crystal out of it and plug it into the CP and see
what happens. If I blow it up, welp, looks like I'll be going
separates in the CP. hehehe